This Derm-Approved Skin-Care Line Is *Perfect* For Sensitive Skin — & It's Super Affordable

Caring for sensitive skin is a delicate dance of finding the right products and adding actives in the correct sequence to treat your needs. The most important rule of thumb if your skin reacts to even the slightest change is the classic less-is-more motto. In fact, this way of thinking works well in many facets of life (it’s a classic for a reason), and e.l.f. Cosmetics has taken it to heart with the launch of their latest addition: a derm-developed skin-care line, Pure Skin, formulated with sensitive skin in mind. Here, we've got all the details on the products and ingredients that are sure to keep even the most temperamental skin happy and, most importantly, thriving.

The Budget-Friendly Products

We know that finding effective skin-care options that don’t bust your monthly beauty budget isn’t always a simple task. However, e.l.f. has made it possible to snag affordable, fragrance-free options, all of which are priced at just $12 or less. Yep, you read that correctly. First is the non-foaming cleanser that removes the day without irritating even the most sensitive skin. Next is the toner — made with oat milk, aloe juice, and niacinamide — that gently moisturizes and soothes. And lastly, we have the non-comedogenic daily moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration and sets a perfect foundation for makeup.

Let's Talk Ingredients

No matter your skin type, ingredients are always essential to consider. For sensitive skin in particular, the key word is gentle, which is why the Pure Skin line relies on calming and coddling ingredients. For example, niacinamide, one of the stars of the collection, has anti-inflammatory properties. The B3 vitamin also treats hyperpigmentation while keeping the skin barrier intact (important for keeping irritation a bay), and there is scientific evidence to back that up.

“Niacinamide has been shown in several studies to help reduce some signs of skin aging, particularly skin tone and texture,” New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King tells Bustle. “Many acne-fighting ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide can be drying and irritating, so it can be helpful to combine ingredients like this with ingredients like niacinamide that support the skin barrier and improve moisture levels and tone and texture.”

Oak milk and allantoin are also important players in the Pure Skin formulas. We know oat milk makes delicious lattes. But what is allantoin? “Allantoin, or aluminum dihydroxy allantoinate, is a natural compound found in several plants, including comfrey, chamomile, sugar beets, wheat sprouts, and tobacco seeds,” says King. “It has long been thought to have healing and soothing properties.” She also notes that allantoin is keratolytic. “[This means] that it exfoliates the outermost layers of dead skin cells, improves skin dullness, and can help improve the hydration of the layers below — which can make the skin look more plump.”

Aside from frothing up espresso drinks, King shares that antioxidant-rich oat milk has been used for centuries as a soothing agent to relieve itch and irritation associated with various dry skin conditions. And it's also classified by the FDA as a skin protectant. So what makes oatmeal so unique in skin care? “Colloidal oatmeal is a natural complex of lipids, proteins, peptides, and starches that soothe, nourish and moisturize the skin,” says King. She notes the addition of oatmeal can be especially helpful for anyone with dry skin and conditions like eczema.

Lastly, the Pure Skin line is also fragrance-free which is non-negotiable for sensitive skin types. So what are you waiting for? Add the products to your shopping cart now.